book lovers day
[Photos by: Tom DeLonge, Pete Wentz/YouTube, Laura Jane Grace/Katie Hovland, Oli Sykes/YouTube]

10 must-reads authored by musicians to celebrate Book Lovers Day

There’s nothing better than cracking the spine on a new story on Book Lovers day. OK, maybe listening to your favorite artist or band. What if you could combine the two? You can.

Look no further than this list of 10 books written by your favorite musicians to merge your love of melodic lyrics with the written word.

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1. Raised By Raptors by Oli Sykes (Bring Me The Horizon) and Ben Ashton-Bell (illustrator)

oli sykes

Our deepest fears are revealed in Bring Me The Horizon frontman Oli SykesRaised By Raptors, a graphic novel where 6-year-old K’abel must answer one essential question: “What if everything and everyone you ever loved or knew was dead?” Set in an ancient Mayan civilization and asking questions most adults don’t even know the answers to, this is a must-read for those struggling to find a place in this world. 

2. Gray by Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) and James Montgomery

When the whole world knows your name, your life is stuck on repeat—shows, tour buses, new towns. In this raw look into the music scene, Pete Wentz’s Gray centers around a battle with mental illness and addiction, the rise of a music career and a game of lost-and-found with love. Characters aren’t named but described, making this novel a great read for Fall Out Boy die-hards.

3. Tranny: Confessions Of Punk Rock’s Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout by Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!) with Dan Ozzi

In this tell-all memoir, Laura Jane Grace navigates her identity crisis while serving as the founder of one of punk rock’s most illustrious bands. Peppered with entries from journals she kept throughout her life, Tranny is for readers who crave honesty and self-reflection, reaching further than only fans of Against Me!

4. Wildwood (Wildwood Chronicles) by Colin Meloy (Decemberists) and Carson Ellis (illustrator)

 

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It’s a book!

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There’s a secret world, and Prue and Curtis have just stumbled inside. Filled with combatant creatures, dark magic and wonder, what started out as a rescue mission to save Prue’s little brother turns into a fight for freedom. For lovers of fantasy and The Chronicles Of Narnia, this series needs to be added to every end-of-summer reading list.

Bonus: Check out Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis’ Wildwood playlist here.

5. Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne (Talking Heads)

In this adventurous memoir, David Byrne navigates the world from the seat of his bike, meeting renowned and conventional characters across the globe. Focusing on the culture of major cities, Byrne discusses how the modern world can slow down, speed up and look from a different perspective. For readers who love to travel in unconventional ways and lovers of Talking Heads, this one’s crucial.

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6. See A Grown Man Cry/Now Watch Him Die by Henry Rollins (Black Flag)

 

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Henry Rollins #henryrollins #seeagrownmancrynowwatchhimdie #booktour

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In this true and brutal memoir, Henry Rollins highlights exactly what it means to be on tour as a frontman in the late ’80s and early ’90s. The book is riddled with journal entries from harrowing times in his life as well as poetry. This account of Rollins’ life isn’t for the faint of heart. To truly understand Black Flag and Rollins, crack open this book—just don’t expect a happy ending. 

7. Wolf In White Van by John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats)

Imagination collides with reality in this game gone wrong. John Darnielle’s Wolf In White Van tells the story of two teenagers who take a role-playing game too far, leaving the creator to be held accountable. For readers who love to perch on the edge of their seats and lovers of role-playing games, Darnielle has created a story that could happen to anyone. 

8. Useless Magic: Lyrics And Poetry by Florence Welch (Florence And The Machine)

 

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So moved to have been nominated for a #goodreadschoice award for poetry ♥️ x x

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What goes on inside a musician’s head? Florence Welch answers the question in Useless Magic. Complete with doodles and photos from her early career, Welch’s inspiration for each of her albums and a section of poetry combine to create a melding of music and the written word. Every Florence And The Machine fan must make space for this work on their bookshelf. 

9. Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Larry Sloman

Success comes, but at what price? In this honest and compelling memoir, Anthony Kiedis details what happens when you’re in love with everything—even the darkest pieces of life. Covering his muses, addictions and reckless thrill-seeking, this book describes true account of the vocalist’s highs and lows. 

10. Sekret Machines: Chasing Shadows (Sekret Machines series, Book One) by Tom DeLonge (Angels & Airwaves/blink-182) and A.J. Hartley

We aren’t the only ones out here. What secrets aren’t being told? Tom DeLonge explores events of Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon. He tells stories for those who look up at the sky and see things we’re told do not exist. This is for those who believe we’re not the only beings in the sky. This exploration of life beyond our spinning ball is just a work of historical fiction…right?

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